Meow Monday: Life & Death
It’s Mondays with Merlin and I have few things on my mind like life and death. If it’s sunny, I like sunning on the porch even if it’s cold. I feel connected the sun and glad to be alive. Sadly many of our blogger pets have died recently. Too many have gone to the bridge lately and who knows when I will join them. For now, I send big rumble purrs to anyone feeling loss or lonely.
If you have a dear cat consider yourself very lucky. These are stressful times for many of us and cats pick up and absorb our energy. Spend a little extra time, playing, petting and communicating with your cats. We older cats are wiser and may not want to play as much but need emotional support and can be clingy. If a clingy cat or previously affectionate cat suddenly wants to be alone, please take them to the vet. A sudden change can signal a medical issue. Older cats can be startled by sudden moves and loud noises. Same old same old routine is welcome. Older cats can lose hearing and it’s best to approach them from the front and not from behind where we can’t see you.
Merlin’s Meow Tip: If you live in a cold place, try warming up yourcats’ drinking water. All the Cat Wisdom 101 cats have multiple bowls and drinking glasses and we all prefer clean, purified warm water. Try it for fun.
For everyone who is wondering how I’m doing. I’m doing well for a blind, kidney cat but I’m always hungry. I no longer yowl like a banshee at night because I’m fed more frequently. My mom Layla the behaviorist, believes older cats need to be fed more often. Not more food just more frequently. I get fed on demand and it’s working well.
To get around, I scent mark corners of furniture, stairs, and doorway to help guide me. Don’t underestimate an old cat. Just the other day, I surprised my mom Layla by playing with a catnip mouse. Ha, I haven’t done that in a dog’s age. May you be guided to listen to your cat for a happy meow Monday!
31 Comments
Maggie
Thank you for good advise sensitively delivered. I know that I can tell how Tommie’s feeling by where he chooses to nap; out in the open in the sun on a good day, well hidden in the dark on a day when things are not so good. Time to go find my boy and give him kisses.
Maggie
Debbie
Thanks for reminding us to take more time to play with our four-legged friends. Sometimes we just get too busy and need to slow down.
Ms. Phoebe
Merlin mew are the wisest mancat I know, sending many rumble purrs and wishes for good days ahead for mew. Purrrrrrrr!!
Penelope
Dear Merlin, this winter has been very hard on the older ca – Nellie (and the older slobbery sister Bob) at our house. Nellie knows this. She spends more time with Bob and Bob with Nellie. Bob watches out for Nellie and will let Cinnamon and Kozmo know they should leave her alone. At first we found this a little strange as they have never really been close (even though they have almost 14 years together)and when Bob is feeling poorly (she has terrible arthritis) Nellie will stop them form bugging Bob.
We are waiting the summer heat!
Kisses
Nellie (and Bob)
Oui Oui
I’ve noticed sometimes when a kitty is getting ready to leave for the Bridge, he/ she finds new places to sleep and hang out. Just subtle behavior changes that tell you things are not the same.
Adan & Lego
Thank you for this important post.
And,
Thank you for your sweet blessing of Lego’s gotcha day!!
The Island Cats
Thanks for sharing this good information. Merlin, we’re glad you’re doing well…and keep playing with your mousie!
Eric and Flynn
The sadness of so many leaving lately makes me worry for the boys, especially since Eric is unexplainedly losing muscle mass. They only drink water from the bath tap or the outdoor trays, but I make sure their food is always at room temperature before I give it to them.
We are glad you are doing well Merlin and enjoy a game with your catnip mouse.
CATachresis
Never thought about the temp of the water before, but makes sense! However, normally Austin likes to drink brackish water from a puddle!! Merlin is a star xx
Fisher
Another beautiful post from you. We are going through the same thing with Wart. Our minds have come together through it all and he no longer screams at me for food. He knows he can have some whenever he wants. Now he just sits in the kitchen until I notice him (and his special radar works every time). The hardest part of loving is letting go, but it is definitely a part of loving. Cats do teach us so much.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Bless Wart and his special “radar”. Letting is go a part of loving but it’s not easy.
Andrea
Oh, Fisher, you are so right, the hardest part is letting go. I just lost Question (my Cutey-Q) at the age of 16 on Feb 26th. He’s the fourth cat in just a year and a half. It has been hard to say the least. Just when I think my heart can’t possibly break any more……well, you know.
I guess letting go is also the hardest part of having a houseful of seniors. Please do cherish your loving felines every moment. They are the best gift you’ve ever been given.
meowmeowmans
Thank you for making us smile during a time when so many of our friends have gone to the Bridge. Merlin, we think you have a lot of life in you, as evidenced by your mouse play. And just like us with our Sammy, we know your mom will love you and cherish every moment you have together.
Hugs!
Skeeter and Izzy
Merlin,as always we send our warmest love,purrs and kisses. We love you so much and we are always glad when you have a really great day. To all that have lost a piece of their heart we send love, purrs and kisses too…sadly we have been there as well. We must always be vigilent with our babies and when they have lived long full lives then we must bow to their needs and wants to repay just a tiny part of the peace,love,comfort and joy that they have given us. Prayers and purrs to all….love Skeeter and Izzy >^..^<
Abby
Merlin we think you still have some tricks up your paw.
xoxoxo
Jacqueline
A very important post…Enjoy the sunbeams, handsome Merlin…Happy week ahead, precious friends…xoxo…Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat
da tabbies o trout towne
rock on dood !!! now if ewe could just get yur social seCATity cheks on a regular basis huh…..
sue brandes
I feed my older cat on demand too. Seems to work better with him. Boy you really have to watch closely in older pets too. My cats eyes were big as saucers. And it always looked the eyes were trying focus and he was all of sudden blind. Toke him to the vet and he had high blood pressure. Luckily he got his sight back after being on meds which doesn’t always happen I was told by my vet. He is also on meds for thyroid so we have lots of vet care. He is 20 so everyday is dear to me with him. Merlin is so handsome. Loved your post.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Sue, thank-you and purrs to your old boy! Yes, everyday vigilance is needed with older cats. Things can change so quickly as you know.
Marilia
You´re so special!
Have a nice week!
Katnip Lounge
Merlin, you certainly haven’t lost one iota of acuity…and I know ALL ABOUT routine; Mommy has to sit on the sofa every night and pet me until I say she’s done. It’s a rule!
XX KonaKitty, age 16
Tamago
Hi Merlin, you look very happy in sun puddle. Glad to see you are doing well. I’ve tried a cold water, I put an ice in water bowl. Goro seemed to like it 🙂
Layla Morgan Wilde
We love ice-water too on a hot day. Can’t wait for those 🙂
Katie and Coccolino
Wow, we have never warmed up our cats’ water. That’s a great idea!
Oink oink,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
Robert B
Many blessings to you, Mr Merlin!
Cherry City Kitties
Mr. Merlin, you are so wise. You have such smart ways of living. We’re all still pretty young (although the v-e-t) said Harry was getting old at 10! (that is NOT what she said Tipp!!!!!) MOL!
Thank you for reminding us that while everything changes, love remains.
Brian
You are a special one Mr. Merlin!!!
Sparkle
Melin, isn’t it awesome to keep surprising your human? We kitties could give humans LOTS of lessons about disease and growing older.
Mr Puddy
That’s why my mom only blog for 3 days !
Even I still young and handsome . Who knows tomorrow ?
but we are deeply sorry for all pawrents who loss their furry kitties.
Purrs all for them
Kathryn
Merlin is very spry.
Video is not showing. 🙁
Layla Morgan Wilde
It was so cute and it just disappeared. So Merc in retrograde.